Freshmen Stepping Up At Right Time For No. 5 Duke

DURHAM, N.C.-- Two freshmen seem to be figuring things out at the right time for No. 5 Duke.

Guard Rasheed Sulaimon has rediscovered his shooting touch. And now that he's a starter, forward Amile Jefferson is doing just about everything asked of him.

With those two contributing more, the new-look Blue Devils hope to take another step forward in Ryan Kelly's indefinite, injury-related absence.

Sulaimon is coming off a season-best 25-point performance against Maryland in which he tied a school freshman record with six 3-pointers.

In the four full games since Kelly hurt his right foot, Jefferson's playing time increased from roughly 9 minutes per game to 22. His scoring average has more than tripled to 10 points per game and his rebounding average has jumped from 1.9 to 7.